Cotton Pickers defeat Wildcats for tourney win

The Robstown Cotton Picker's baseball team ended this year's tournament season on a high note. The 'Pickers brought home a championship trophy from this past weekend's tournament in Calallen.

Coming into the season, Robstown had high hopes paired with a number three ranking in UIL Class 3A. After defeating last year's TAPPS State Champions C.C. John Paul II and last year's 4A runner-up Calallen, the 'Pickers are now battle tested for district play.

Senior Alex Marroquin took the mound Friday night for the semi-finals match up against the John Paul II Centurions. The 'Pickers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning with RBIs from Mike Velasquez and Trey Leal.

Marroquin kept the John Paul hitters under control until the third inning. Centurion slugger Jose Trevino got the best of him, with home runs in the third and fifth innings that gave the Centurions a 6-3 lead. They were Trevino's 13th and 14th homers of the year.

The 'Pickers tied things up in the bottom of the fifth off a Marroquin RBI, and switched to Max Mesa at pitcher for the final two innings. Randy Flores scored the game-winning run off an RBI by Velasquez, to make the final, 7-6.

Brandon Cantu pitched in Saturday's championship game against Calallen. He got plenty of help from his hitters early, as the 'Pickers scored nine runs in the top of the second.

The Wildcats did their best to come back, scoring four runs in the bottom of the seventh. But the 'Pickers big second inning proved to be too much, making the final 10-9 in favor of Robstown.

Robstown began district play Tuesday when they traveled to West Oso. The results of that game were not available as of press time.

Calallen, which has already begun district play 1-0, will host Alice on Friday.